Richard J Clark

Richard J Clark

Richard J. Clark (b. 1969) is a composer, conductor, organist, pianist, and songwriter. In 2018, Clark was appointed Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and Director of Music and Organist at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. From 1989–2018, he was Music Director and Organist at Saint Cecilia Church in Boston, Massachusetts and also served for a number of years as Chapel Organist (Saint Mary's Chapel) at Boston College.


Clark's compositions have been performed on four continents, most notably by The American Boychoir conducted by Fernando Malvar-Ruiz. His sacred music has been published by The Sacred Music Press, CanticaNOVA Publications, and World Library Publications. He has premiered new choral, organ, and instrumental works for the Boston Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, as well as at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross (Boston). His compositions have been broadcast on radio stations in the Northeast, including "Sounds from the Spires" with Jennifer Pascual.


Clark's organ performance venues include the Celebrity Series of Boston, the Boston Philharmonic, at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross (Boston), the Church of the Transfiguration (New York City), and Methuen Memorial Music Hall, as well as recitals in Belgium and Italy, and appearances on various New York, New England, and European radio programs. He has directed the Saint Cecilia Men's Schola in several radio performances of Gregorian chant.


Born in Greenwich Village, New York City, Clark has composed and performed music in various genres throughout his life, including classical, jazz, and popular styles. While studying as a chemistry major at New York University, he also studied classical piano and composition with Justin Dello Joio. He received his Bachelor's Degree at the Berklee College of Music in 1991 where he studied jazz piano and composition. He studied organ with James David Christie, organist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. In 1997 Clark completed his Master of Music Degree from the Boston Conservatory.